Alam is a PhD candidate in Political Science at the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies (CAIS), The Australian National University. His academic background reflects over a decade of engagement with comparative politics, Middle Eastern studies, and international relations. He earned a Master’s in International Relations from Curtin University, where his thesis dissected the emergence of a radical Islamist state in Sudan, foregrounding the ideological legacies of Sayyid Abu’l-A’la Mawdudi and Sayyid Qutb. This foundational work informs his current doctoral trajectory and broader intellectual pursuits.

Alam’s PhD dissertation, “The Failure of Political Islam in Sudan – From 1989 to 2019”, critically examines the disintegration of Sudan’s Islamist regime after three decades. Employing archival methods, qualitative interviews, and governance metrics, it elucidates ideological inconsistencies, economic vulnerabilities, factional discord, and eroding societal legitimacy as pivotal factors in authoritarian decay. This inquiry enriches theoretical discourses on political Islam, regime collapse, civil mobilization, and democratic transitions in fragile states.

The Balzan PhD Fellowship in Restorative Justice and Peacemaking would amplify his research’s scholarly and practical resonance. It would facilitate comparative extensions to other post-authoritarian cases, integration of restorative justice paradigms, and development of peacemaking models tailored to Sudan’s protracted conflicts. Moreover, fellowship mentorship would refine his thesis for peer-reviewed publication, such as on the RegNet platform, thereby enhancing his visibility in justice and peacebuilding arenas.